Cross Country's Big Day: 12 Class Championships at Wickham

Caitlin Swanson, left, and Courtney Akerley are out to lead Tolland to a repeat as Class M champs on Saturday. Ackerly is also the defending individual champ.

Caitlin Swanson, left, and Courtney Akerley are out to lead Tolland to a repeat as Class M champs on Saturday. Ackerly is also the defending individual champ. (David Butler II-Hartford Courant / Hartford Courant)

The most exciting day of the cross-country season returns to Wickham Park on Saturday as 12 teams and individuals will be crowned state champions in boys and girls CIAC class races. There are plenty of storylines, like a loaded Class LL boys race and the Tolland and Glastonbury girls defending their Class M and Class LL titles. The action gets started at 9:15 a.m. Here's a look at the races:

Breaking it down: The most talent-laden race of the day. Danbury is No. 1 in the state poll, followed by Staples, Amity, Ridgefield and Hall. Glastonbury, Cheshire and Simsbury are also in the top 10. The competition will be intense for the team and individual title.

E.O. Smith High School soccer coach John Blomstrann wins his 500th game during a match against Rockville High School. E.O. Smith won 4-1. (MICHAEL McANDREWS | mmcandrews@courant.com)

Breaking it down: Ostberg is the defending L champ, and finished third at the State Open last year. Ostberg, who has committed to Stanford, won the FCIAC title last week, breaking the course record. Look for Ostberg and the Blue Wave to repeat.

Breaking it down: Ellington will challenge Brookfield again for the team title. Last year Ellington lost 48-87, coming in second place. Dixon finished third individually last year and the two runners ahead of him graduated.

Breaking it down: Class SS is full of area teams and runners that will be near the top. Haddam-Killingworth beat second-place Old Lyme in the Shoreline Conference championship last week, which Alberico won.

Breaking it down: Debalsi will look to dominate yet another race, but like the LL boys, there will be a lot of top teams and runners. Glastonbury is No. 2 in the state poll followed by Staples and Ridgefield. Amity is ranked 10th and Conard is receiving votes.

Breaking it down: Richichi will try to repeat and New Fairfield is ranked No. 9 in the state. Rockville's Haley Hasty won the CCC individual title. Look for Hamel, who won the NCCC on Saturday, to make an impact at the top. Hamel finished fifth last year. Taylor Brown of Windsor placed seventh last year.

Breaking it down: Tolland has been No. 1 all season, the defending M and Open champ won this meet with 17 points last season. And four of the top five are back. Suffield won the NCCC team title last week and is ranked No. 5 in the state.

Class SS, 3:10 p.m.

2013 champions: Griswold; Alyssa Brehler, Griswold.

Teams to watch: Griswold, East Hampton, Old Saybrook, Haddam-Killingworth, Oxford.

Breaking it down: Brandon won her second straight Shoreline title last week and Georgiades was third. Jean, who didn't race in states last season because of soccer conflicts, will be there this time as a senior.